Teaching American History Programs
The Choices Program at Brown University works with school districts nationwide to provide professional development for their teachers as part of Teaching American History grants. The goal of Choices' TAH programs is to strengthen and expand the teaching of U.S. foreign policy and international content within the core U.S. history curriculum.
Choices offers both one-day workshops and multi-day teaching institutes.
One-Day Workshops
All programs take an interactive approach, engaging participants in one or more model lessons from our curriculum units, including taking part in a role-play simulation that places students at the center of a critical current or historical decision making moment. Depending on arrangements, one or more scholars may provide an on-site session, appear via video conference, or be integrated through our Scholars Online digital resources. Workshops also engage participants in discussion of strategies to successfully implement the Choices curriculum in the classroom and reflection around issues such as relevance to state standards, differentiated instruction, and classroom management.
Cost: A typical one-day workshop for 25 teachers ranges from $2500 to $6000 depending on location and scholars.
Multi-Day Teaching Institutes
These programs join content and methodology, bringing content specialists together with classroom teachers at the secondary level to focus on an international theme within U.S. history. These institutes engage the participants with scholars on the topic and provide opportunities for teachers to explore ways to incorporate the Choices Program’s resources and approach to make these topics come alive for students in their classrooms.
Cost: A typical 5-day summer institute for 25 teachers, taking place at Brown University, costs approximately $45,000. This involves a mix of scholarship and pedagogy and includes room, board, materials. Travel is the responsibility of the sending district.
Note: Pricing of workshops and institutes depends on the length of program, number of teachers, and location.
Contact Information
Contact The Choices Program or 401-863-3155 to discuss possibilities for future programming.
Sample Programs
Choices Approach to History: Teaching about American Entry into the Age of Imperialism
One-day workshop, Riverside Unified School District, Riverside, CA
Slavery in New England: An Institute for Teachers
One-day workshop, Brown University, Providence, RI
Teaching about the Cold War from Multiple Perspectives
Southeastern Regional Educational Service Center, Bedford, NH
The Age of Imperialism to the Second World War
Five day summer institute
The Slave Trade to Brown v Board of Education: Race in America
Eight-day summer institute
Role of Scholars in Professional Development
The Choices Program draws on scholars from the Watson Institute, Brown University, and other institutions for its curriculum work. Choices routinely engages these scholars in professional development programs for high school teachers. Teachers who have interacted with scholars during professional development can also infuse these scholars into their own classrooms using tailored videos available from Scholars Online.
